Reframed, Part 10: Reframing Death

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor

John 11:25
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:54b-55
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
     “Where O Death is your victory?
          Where O death is your sting?”

3 Main Ways We Fear Death

1. Fear
2. Fear
3. Fear

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.

The scripture is not saying, “Don’t scared,”
it’s saying “Don’t scared.”

3 Principles for Walking with People Through Pain and Loss

1. Do

2. Be

Mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15

Jesus wept. John 11:35

3. Speak

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Small Group Questions

1. Growing up, how was death talked about (or avoided) in your home and church?
2. What part of death do you fear the most? The relational repercussions? The pain? Or the unknown of what happens next? Why?
3. Does it change the way you think about death to know that Jesus has already gone through it and come out the other side? In what way
4. What’s one way you’ve seen God bring life out of loss in your story or someone else’s?
5. How can we walk with people who are grieving in a way that lifts them up instead of weighing them down?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?